The Huddersfield-born star, who was a late favourite to become the Doctor, will find a familiar face for her on set - Doctor Who's new showrunner is Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall.

Whittaker said: "I'm beyond excited to begin this epic journey - with Chris and with every Whovian on this planet.

"It's more than an honour to play the Doctor. It means remembering everyone I used to be, while stepping forward to embrace everything the Doctor stands for: hope. I can't wait."

The actress also shares another Broadchurch link with Doctor Who - co-star David Tennant was the 10th Doctor.

Analysis

By Lizo Mzimba, BBC entertainment correspondent

It was always unlikely that the Doctor would continue to be white and male, especially as the BBC has committed itself to greater diversity on its programmes.

Casting the first female Doctor is something many viewers have been calling for. And strong female-led stories have been successful on the big and small screen in recent years, in films ranging from The Hunger Games and Star Wars to Wonder Woman, and in TV series like Game of Thrones.

The BBC will be hoping today's announcement will not just excite viewers, but will also demonstrate that the time travel show has firmly moved into the 21st century.

Whittaker said it felt "incredible" to take on the role, saying: "It feels completely overwhelming, as a feminist, as a woman, as an actor, as a human, as someone who wants to continually push themselves and challenge themselves, and not be boxed in by what you're told you can and can't be."

And she told fans not to be "scared" by her gender.

"Because this is a really exciting time, and Doctor Who represents everything that's exciting about change," she said, adding: "The fans have lived through so many changes, and this is only a new, different one, not a fearful one."

Whittaker said she had used the codename "Clooney" when discussing the part with her husband and agent - as actor George is "an iconic guy".

Image caption
Peter Capaldi will bow out in this year's Christmas special, featuring David Bradley as the First Doctor

Chibnall said the 13th Doctor was always going to be a woman.

He said: "I always knew I wanted the 13th Doctor to be a woman and we're thrilled to have secured our number one choice.

"Her audition for the Doctor simply blew us all away. Jodie is an in-demand, funny, inspiring, super-smart force of nature and will bring loads of wit, strength and warmth to the role. The 13th Doctor is on her way."

Chibnall is taking over from Steven Moffat, who leaves the series at the same time as Capaldi.

Capaldi, who had said he wanted to see a woman replace him, said: "Anyone who has seen Jodie Whittaker's work will know that she is a wonderful actress of great individuality and charm.

"She has above all the huge heart to play this most special part. She's going to be a fantastic Doctor."

Image copyrightTwitter/billiepiper

Image copyrightTwitter/FreemaOfficial

Former companions Billie Piper and Karen Gillan had called for a female Time Lord, while Doctor Who and Sherlock writer Mark Gatiss said it was the perfect time for a woman to take the lead role.

After the announcement, Piper tweeted the word: "YES" with a red rose emoji, while fellow former companion Freema Agyeman tweeted: "Change isn't a dirty word!!!!"

'It's about time'

Image copyrightGetty Images

Dedicated Whovians were quick to react to the news of Jodie Whittaker taking over the Tardis.

On social media, some said it would encourage them to watch the show for the first time - but others said the casting meant they would be switching off, and that the Doctor should be played by a man.

Carla Joanna tweeted to say that she would be tuning in and that the trailer "made me choke up a little". Another tweeter, Ayad, said: "I don't even watch Doctor Who but a woman doctor is so cool."

But Samantha Melton said: "I am a woman and a feminist but I don't want a female Doctor. To me it's trying too hard to tick the boxes."

Doctor Who writer Jenny Colgan, who has written for the series' books and audio dramas, said: "I am of course incredibly excited the new Doctor is a woman; Steven Moffat has been paving the way for this for ages and it is absolutely about time.

"I can't imagine what it's like for Jodie: she must be so scared and excited all at once, but I couldn't be happier, and 100% can't wait to write for her."

Will Howells, who writes for the Doctor Who magazine and has been a fan for 25 years, said: "In 2017, there shouldn't be anything major about a TV series changing from a male lead to a female one. We'll also maybe see a solo male companion as a regular feature for the first time.

"I don't think it's a risky choice at all - but if a show that can go anywhere and do anything can't take risks, what can?"

Science fiction and fantasy author Paul Cornell said: "It's always been time for a woman Doctor and it's great we got there.

"Well done to Steven Moffat for laying the groundwork. She's going to be amazing. And that first episode of hers is going to get a lot of new people watching."

Actress Olivia Colman, who starred in a Doctor Who episode and was one of the possible candidates for the role, said it was a "classy decision".

"The creatives made the right decision that the part should be a woman and it's about time," she told BBC News. She added that those unhappy about Whittaker being the new Time Lord should "leave her alone and let her do her job brilliantly".

Whittaker starred as Beth Latimer in the three series of the ITV crime drama Broadchurch, as the mother of a murdered boy.

As well as TV work, Whittaker has appeared on the big screen, in One Day, Attack the Block and St Trinian's. She made her film debut in 2006's Venus, opposite Peter O'Toole.

Traditionally, each Doctor has their own distinctive look, raising questions about the cloak Whittaker wears in the trailer. However, she has said it is not part of her official Doctor Who outfit, and that she does not yet know what she will wear.